Gospel Fruit: Some follow-up thoughts to my previous post. Speaking to the disciples, Christ warned of those who outwardly appear pious but inwardly are enemies of the truth, concluding with the words, “wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20. Too often this verse is twisted into measuring a man by outward appearance or moral performance. But Christ Himself explains what the “fruit” is, it is doctrine. In this context nothing more and nothing less. The dividing line is the gospel itself, good fruit is the doctrine of Christ; bad fruit is the doctrine that denies Him. “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” II John 9. This is why He warned His disciples, “take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” Matthew 16:6. Their minds at first ran to loaves and provisions, yet Christ’s point became clear, “then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” Matthew 16:12. Their fruit was their doctrine, and it was poison. To depart from the doctrine of Christ is to depart from Christ Himself. As it is written, “whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” II John 9. The line of fidelity to Christ is drawn in the truth of His gospel, and nowhere else. To abide in the doctrine of Christ is to have both the Father and the Son; to depart from it, no matter how devout the exterior, is to be without God. John 8:31. MPJ